Isuzu Oil Consumtion

[Mentalman]

My 2000 Trooper just blew it's engine at only 49,000 miles. I had no problems with it until one day I heard a knocking in my engine. Upon arriving home, I checked the oil, and it was bone dry. I filled up the oil and drove it to work the next day with minor tapping. On the way home, the truck just shut down. When I restarted the truck, it knocked like a rock in a tin can. The local Isuzu dealer says I need a new engine, $7,400. I was in negotiation with the service manager, and he said the best he could do was pay half of the costs. That is not an option since I am finding so many others with the same problem. I am currently in the process of contacting an attorney to file a law suit. If anyone out there is experiencing, or has experienced the same problem, please e-mail me. If there enough of us, this can turn into a class action law suit and Isuzu will be held responsible for replacing all defective ngines in the Troopers and Rodeos. All those out there, please respond. Thanks.

[mohawk]

Damn! That should not happen!

Did you have an oil consumption issue prior to this incident?

Are you the original owner?

I currently own 2002 with around the same miles. I'm beginning to worry.

BTW...There is another web site you might try...I believe it's PlanetIsuzu or something to that. Edmunds also has a Trooper forum.

[Mentalman]

Originally Posted by mohawk

Damn! That should not happen!

Did you have an oil consumption issue prior to this incident?

Are you the original owner?

I currently own 2002 with around the same miles. I'm beginning to worry.

BTW...There is another web site you might try...I believe it's PlanetIsuzu or something to that. Edmunds also has a Trooper forum.

Mohawk

No oil consumpion problems at all before this. One day my valves were knocking, so when I got home I checked the oil. BONE DRY !!! I filled up, replaced the filter, and thought all was well. I was driving home from work the next day, pulled in to get some gas, and the motor just shut down. After starting the engine, I knew I threw a rod. I had it towed to the garage, and the mechanic told me right away he knew what the problem was. BLOWN MOTOR. He was right. I asked him how he knew. He stated he saw way too many Rodeo's and Trooper's have the same problem (1998-2001). Isuzu will not replace the motor. I say they are going to, because I have found several others with the same problem.

As for your 2002, you shouldn't have any problems. However, I would check your oil frequently, because according to Isuzu, burning 1qt per 1,000 miles is considered "appropriate". Yeah right !!!! I call that a PROBLEM. No fret. I contact my attorney tomorrow. Isuzu will pay, or face several law suits.

[pr99trooper]

Isuzu replaced my short block under warranty. The key was getting them to measure the pistons and cylinder walls. They were out of spec to begin with, and I bet yours are too. (some of the motors were not assembled correctly at the factory). If you download the Trooper Service Manual, it contains all the measurements you need to know and look for with respect to the pistons and cylinder walls. This worked for me.

Good luck.

Patrick

Worst case, the 50/50 deal isn't that bad to fall back on.

[The6thFinger]

I have 108k miles, and noticed on my last road trip I was burning up oil. I probably added a good 2 quarts over 2k miles.

That is terrible that Isuzu considers that "normal" oil usage. I guess I had better keep a very close watch on my levels!

So for getting those cylinder walls measured for a factory "defect" what would that cost? My engine runs fine BUT i'm almost out of warranty and if I could get a new engine out of the deal I would do it!

[amigo-2k]

Originally Posted by The6thFinger

I have 108k miles, and noticed on my last road trip I was burning up oil. I probably added a good 2 quarts over 2k miles.

That is terrible that Isuzu considers that "normal" oil usage. I guess I had better keep a very close watch on my levels!

So for getting those cylinder walls measured for a factory "defect" what would that cost? My engine runs fine BUT i'm almost out of warranty and if I could get a new engine out of the deal I would do it!

I think your only hope fore a new engine is to start the oil monitor program. I hope you have a dealer close ....

[Mentalman]

Originally Posted by amigo-2k

I think your only hope fore a new engine is to start the oil monitor program. I hope you have a dealer close ....

What, may I ask, is an oil monitor program, and how would I get a new motor from this?

[rodeo02]

It has to be set up with an isuzu service dept. Basically they change your oil, record the oil level and chart your oil level over a given amount of miles/days. It requires many trips to the dealer. If you wind-up using more than 1qt/1000mi, you have powertrain warranty remaining and you have a good service history, they usually will replace the engine without a fuss. If you have no warranty, unfortunately you are SOL. Legal recourse would cost more than an engine replacement. Isuzu North America is on the endangered species list. There is absolutely no incentive for them to be concerned with keeping happy customers. Your two most cost effective solutions at this point are trade it in as is to the dealer on a less expensive vehicle, or dump $3700 into a new crate engine installation (w/ warranty) and keep it. Hopefully you got a good deal for your 2000 in the first place. Troopers historically have horrific resale value.

G/luck
Joel

[pr99trooper]

Originally Posted by The6thFinger

So for getting those cylinder walls measured for a factory "defect" what would that cost? My engine runs fine BUT i'm almost out of warranty and if I could get a new engine out of the deal I would do it!

You have to start an oil consumption test. What this involves is going to your dealer BEFORE your warranty is up and have them change the oil and start a consumption log. I started my test 4 months before my warranty was up, and because it was initiated before, the problem was covered under warranty. After, you will have to return to your dealer at either a predetermined mileage interval or when you need a quart added (which ever comes first). They add the necessary oil to bring the level back to full and record the amount and mileage. They will want to do this 10 times. The only cost that I incurred was the oil changes. The dealer picked up the cost of the oil top ups. My test lasted 7 months with an average consumption of 1 quart per 754 miles. This process weeds out over half of the people that try because of the hassle to get this done. You can't add oil yourself and log it, it needs to be done at the dealer. In my case they required that I have a decarb treatment done ( at my cost), and then one more test done to see if the consumption changed. In my case it made it worse. I had to provide all my oil change receipts to prove that I had changed the oil at the required intervals and with the results of the test, the dealer submitted the results to Isuzu. They dragged their feet for 3 months and did their typical "this and that is missing" but all the required info was there. Ultimately the had the motor taken out at their cost to see what was wrong (like they didn't know). Ultimately they could not deny the results and replaced the motor. From start to finish, it took a year. My costs were the oil changes, decarb treatment, and when they changed the motor I paid for the fluids, and at my discretion a new timing belt, thermostat, plugs and water pump.

Now I travel without a case of oil in the back! Consumption now is 1/8 of a quart in 3000 miles. Normal.

Good luck and I hope you have the patience.

Patrick

[amigo-2k]

interesting post:

http://forum.planetisuzoo.com/viewtopic.php?t=7033